Times of Oman School Quiz: 365 teams from 20 schools set for mega prelims

Muscat: A total of 365 teams from 20 schools in Oman are set to compete with one another during the mega prelims of the Times of Oman Inter School Quiz Contest (TOOISQC) today.
About 730 students in both junior and senior categories are eagerly waiting to clinch a place in the final, which will be held at the City Amphitheatre on April 21.
To be held at the Indian School Ghubra, the mega prelims will begin at 4pm and the contestants are advised to arrive before the assigned time. Junior teams are requested to report at the venue by 3.30pm and the senior teams are expected to arrive by 5.30pm.
Top teams
One top team from each school will participate in the final conducted by quizmaster Giri Balasubramaniam on Thursday night.
The participating schools are Al Ghad Al Mushriq Private School, American British Academy, Bangladesh School Muscat, Bangladesh School Sohar, Indian School Darsait, Indian School Ghubrah, Indian School Ibra, Indian School Ibri, Indian School Maabela, Indian School Muladha, Indian School Muscat, Indian School Rustaq, Indian School Salalah, Indian School Seeb, Indian School Sohar, Indian School Sur, Indian School Wadi Kabir, Modern International School Oman, Pakistan School Muscat, Pakistan School Sohar. Around 3,000 students participated in the prelims, which were conducted at six centres in the Sultanate.
Raise the bar
Commenting on the mega prelims, quizmaster Balasubramaniam said, “The mega prelim stage is where the teams would have to raise the bar and recognise the fact that they are now competing with teams that have all qualified for the quiz from their respective schools.” “I am looking forward to the mega prelim and another trip to my favourite country outside India,” he added. He also had some advice for the junior and senior teams in the contest. “The junior teams should not hurry and avoid silly mistakes, while the senior teams should try and look beyond the questions and work out the answers,” Balasubramaniam said.
Summing up the experience of conducting the prelims, and speaking on behalf of the prelims’ quizmasters, Saldanha said, “Finally, now that we are done with the prelims and looking forward to the mega prelim, I do want to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all the teachers and principals of the various schools.”
Enjoying the experience
“Efforts that they have put in are reflective of the results produced by the teams. It is also heartening to watch the children enjoying the experience. I hope it has been a good experience for all the participants and here’s wishing everyone the very best for the mega prelims,” he added.
TOOISQC 2016 is powered by Creme 21. Its major sponsors are R&B, Muscat Pharmary, Pocari Sweat, Denim, Indomie, Al Mudhish and Suroor. The co-sponsors are Kwality Ice Creams and Chiko.
The official host is Radisson Blu Hotel, Sohar and the official rent-a-car is Sixt rent-a-car, while Travel City-Travel Point is the travel partner. Venue sponsors are Relaxo, School Mate, Malabar Gold and Al Rawabi. Gift sponsor is Oman Phone. Other sponsors are Lakhoos Exchange, Al Nahda, Oasis, Sapil, Hoshan Pan Gulf, Parker Pens, and Nabil.